Seal for kegs



Spt. 7, 1943- T. N. BOURKE 2,328,948

SEAL FOR KEGS I Filed May 24, 1941 z sheets-sheet 1 l I I I Mew. W, MMM@T. N. BOURKE l SEAL. FCR KEGs Sepm, 1943.

2 Sheets-Sheet `2 Filed My 24, 1941 a .QQ j. SEALFORJKEGS v lThoinaslourke; GrossePonte, Mich.

Applicatie :traiga/1,1941, serial Ndl l394,365 o scifaiis...(01-2;7599);Thisinvention relates to` a sealforjkegs.

d Fig. 6 is a sectional `view` 4taken substantially particularly forkegs used for beer; 1f'h on line 6--6`of li'g.-5.l` Y l 'fl AVf;

It has been the practice toequip theheadfoi.E Fig. "lisasectional-view-taknsubstantiallyon keg with a plugor cork AWhichfjisknocked, out line'I-lof Fig. 5 showingfcrtain parts 4'o thf jpositionand into;the keg Whenthe' drafft .t e draft ortaprr'iechanism` f"secured to the keg. Thedrait tube itselfjis Fig. Bisa perspective Viewof aspringylenient usually employed `to knock the cork `into the whichfunctions on thesealir'igelet ltoi-cause kegarid then theV draft tubelies in theperture. the'ses'ilirig"action.`vv 1Q "Qne of the. majordiicultieswth thisarrangef Y "In Fig.\1, a` standard'forin of keg-isillustrated nientisthat after the keg is empty theaperture 10 atlhaving a chimewhich projects above the i Misfopen anddirtand other`extraneous ni;a,ti'.' 1f`,ti surfaceof ahead 3` in the usual manier.^-fhe :flies or vermin are attracted andi get into' 'the Vkeg-hase` similarchime!! at its oppositeend.li` Jopeijiiifig;A As a result, when the kegsare retui'ned` Positioned in one-'ofV the head'sfsuch asf'the Fofthe"brewery for refilling they haveitobe'caref u "-headf 3 shownillFig.- f2; isthe sealing n'iechanisrri,` "fullynspected land cleaned,andI in `n`1an `anditgpreferal ly`islocatedso that it`lies`be1ow`stances the `pitchl lining hastobe burned 011. j the level of the chime2.* TheY `structure as shown the keg re-pitched, or in other Words;relnedjwith fcom'prises a bushing Tscurd" in" an opening `-ix`i t a newpitch coating. Moreover, acork is wasted the head, and `'which'securing4may be by means fandjdestroyed for each lling. i of screw-threads'asi-shown; Thefkeg -andlits The object of this inventionistoprovideakeg head may be ofwoodorhietal;althoughthetrend "sealto`overcome these objejctions11` The fcon' atlthe presenttim-is-stronglyi; ovkfarci`l theuse'of struction is one which will remain`sealed;against `metal kegs. The bushing 1 has an opening there-'-`thefinternal pressure,and yet one through which throughin which issecured as byineans f `the draft tube canjbe easily inserted@ Thisstrucyscrew-threads a` secondfbush'ingf 8; 7 sleeve of ture is of a permanentnature anditwlllast for `metal or the like; asillustrated at lissrecurdv along period of 'time, and' no 'partsfare' `usedor -to `the inside ofthelbushinglinelignment with consumed with each"A iilling.` Moreover wl1fen'lthe them opening through the bushirigf and therefore `jdrafttubeis removed after thejkeg isemptyfthe in alignment with the secondbushing 8 jsealstructure automatically closesandkeepsfout "Thebushingf'l has an internal 'shoulder' H alljextraneousmatterand things;j `30 which oppcsesv the end of the -bushing 18,1and a y `The structurealso provides an auxiliary c1o. sealinggelement -isadaptedftoclampedbelsure means, both exterionof `the'ke'g and*`int11`pi0l` tween'"the bushing 8 andthe-shoulder Il.A i ofthe keg, so that exteriorextraneousniatter is sealing element, as illustrated in Fg'ywfi; haselprevented from accesstothe parts whichfa'ctually tubular-likefbody I 2provided at onejend with `effectythe seal andso that thesesamejparts'lare 35 an 'outwardly extending flange `l3` whichfmaybetprotected from Vthe interior. Thus Vwhen@ is re-enforcedlbya Inetallicinsert I4. 5 The tubular necessary to remove the 'pitch lininggiro he"bodymaybepre-formedso thatthe end opposite interior of the keg and'toapply a,new`lin .ing",the thefla-nge I Sisof a graduallyatteningarrange-'seal structure may remain .in position andthe `n fi'ent presentingtapered sides |5,`4a s' viewedV in ."sealingparts arev protecte'dfromthearjneain'go Fig.-2,ijvvliile as viewedat right: angles 4 i'. hereto i`the de-pitching operation and from the'newly i asinFigfljthefstructureappearsto bewidening, `applied pitch lining. I 1T 1Ihe1 edges of the sealmember cometogetherin i A construction forcarrying outthe invention contact with ,each` other as two `lipsv I Band-|1 .is` disclosed in the accompanyingjdrawings In `(Fig. 27)". "Thissealing xjnernbermaybeniadefof` )the drawings j Y rubber or of a,"synthetic `materialbf ajrubber-l j Fig. 1 is an elevational `viewof'akeg illustra t like` n ature,` or one of` 'thefsofcalledjsyntheticingthe draft tube applied thereto. i .rubbers, 4and,`of course,thechemical composif fon is to besuch thatno objectionable odorsllor'Fig.' 2 is an enlarged crosssectinalview taken t through thehe'ad of thekegiandshowing'zthe T .l seal structure.` t l q j" Asshown in Fig.2.the"1angel l 3is clamped Fig. 3` is a cross sectional view taken sub'ta between thebushing 8 and the shoulderlLj Also;

,tially Online 3-3 of Fie. .2.` L i 1 "clamped in.L this position iis`,a.Springelementis ff" Fig. 4 is a4 View of the sealing element. Qviewed in Fg.` 8 having a ciroumierential'jlange Fig. 5 isacrosssectonal viewsimilargtdml f, Zllwhich I njayfbe positionedYagainst T thegshoulderA t showing the draft tube applied to the keg. f iland spring arms4 2|- `extending downwardly fiavorsfareirriparted, tothe beer.

Jtherefrom and provided with lateral extensions or feet 22. The springarms extend inwardly as The shown in Fig. 2, and the extensions 22engage the lips I6 and I l 'with yielding pressure and urge them againsteach other to form avsealing contact. As shown in Fig. 3, the tube 9 isslightly y elongated in its lower region so as to accommo-I date theincreased length of the seal member I2 when it is collapsed as shown. Inthis connection,

` it maybe stated that'the originalforin of the #sealing`rz'iflenrilo'er may be such that the lips F6v and El areiri substantialcontact with each other as anormal condition. However, this is notanecessary prerequisite since the spring arms `2`I will serve to collapsethe member and bring th lips into engagement.

A protecting element in the `form of ay'iehzlv` as a seal is alsoprovided by the parts engaged 'between the bushing 8 and the shoulderIl. Also, the tapered plug part 49 seals against the tapered seat 4 IWhen the keg is to be tapped the outside sealing disc is turned from theposition shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig.`5,` and this alsoshifts the inner dise out of posi- I l tion. Then the fixture 50 isapplied tothe bushing `8 and a seal connection is obtained at the`packing 5I The draft tube is now pushed down- Lxrllardly into -thebarrel` and the packing nut 51 is tightened to form a seal at lthepacking 56. As

the draft tubeis pushed downwardly, its end first I ltengages thetapering fingers 21 and expands the isnarnejand therefore lexpands thetapered walls l5 of: the rubber sealing element. Thus the rubing sleeveisdisposed within the rubber sealing member. .This protectingmember hasa tubular. 1

v body 25 with an annular ange 2G positioned4 aber@ vthe engel.; .Thelowerend of them@- tecting member is out toprovidea number of'fiegerelwhichvafefermesiihto the posities as fshown -.I1.Fie ,Thematerial 0f which .the i317@- tecting material is made'is such that the`ringer-1s v, be flexed tn iizyvardly` as'Will presentlywbe seen.

rfevriert1if --15urr0se0f providing the auxiliary exterior and interiorclosureslapost 38j `may be .iiourealed .in the .bushing l and'proridedeon .the

` lle-lieg with. a. Closure dis@ 3l mQl- .e

.netted to the post and arranged to quitgriu viii @ver the, endofthe-,tube e9- A supeertn'e ellis; 32. may be provided fer engaging,the vfree fedgeeofathe:0105111761 dise 3 l Ammer @mme diss? '331sSecured to the Doswmd @Tried the-,tonpfethe bushing .8, and which.,prefer,- eblbhas aneenlargemeet 34 Which` @an be e11- .eeee a to" ,Swingthe Closure die@ 33 .to untere-r the aperture. 'thme/hing. 8- It Will.beenderd that both auz g-iliary closure' d iscs are non- A :helma-.1.Serine has. its apposite endsiiedft@ ne' andi-ih@ .pest .respetivelyfthe passend, is .end it may be formelivih a; Hilbert@v @ortica-@i1Seating in a ,tapered :Seat ,lsiefgthe eberethreueh the. bushing l, Togeintainfthis .seatasprilie 42 backed up lei-anemie r. anqhthisV'springe is arranged to `normally hold the- ,*Of @Quise necessary t0.als@ provide a Seal ,e @und ment 43 greets. theranered `pertllll esame?the seat 4 I in Eigelb, f6' and *1.,4 the arrangement isf'eiio'fvvrijygitie:Ythe',eci-called` beer tap applied te triejke'g.

{ Ihegbeery tap I may Abe of conventional construct1 and it comprises a-iixture` or cap 5.0with'a p cliiiglarranged to seat on the bushing 8and webmiles. 522 'airl'uleed'wV be engaged under lues Si of.thefoverhan'ging type; onthe bushing nders'ui'qface offthe ,lugs 'x53areinclined .as

Figjsijse that as the 'nature seisv rbtofpositiongj the packing si "istightly enga dwith thesurface of the"bushing.'"The 'graft tube,ycommonly' Calleja the' ftapi reef. fis

thitmigh @einem .Gf a @mme V"'-be'rsealirig element is protected frombeing marred orcutby the end of the draft tube. When the d raft tube 'isin position the rubber sealing element need not necessarily engage ythesame aroundits entire periphery, asshown F-ig. 6, vvsince a seal iseffectedat. Hand .at-5;

V-the draft-.tube fis.` -xjvithdraii/ri.4 the parts return.

" fthe Jpbsinen Shown im Eig. f2, y'with me' "une `u;

fand [T Corning .together to close theA opning'and to t'hus keep'out all,dirt and,vermin;y ZITh'e spring 1 315 a'uses'a closure ofthe auxiliaryYclosingdiscs sothat .exterior dirt'a'nd verminlha've noiaccess".the'finterior of the '.r'bber sealing element. When .itbecomesneCessary to remulethle the interior of the keg heat 4is.appliedt melt .the piteh, and thelips leans n, and in raam-.ne nentire` ru'b'b'er sealing element, are' prptectd.

a newpitehiining is applied. 'it is applied to'fthev interior discl aswell vas to 4"other exposedparts, butnotto'the'lipsfl and ,I'ljastheseare prteeted., "Iclaimfm. y A sealstructureffor "the `draftv Qp'ering'of'a keg yfor a beveragefsuch as beer comprising,` Ya

bushing l.adapted tobe'locatedlfin the wall (of the lieg,yait-ubuiarseaungLmemberef rubber or ubll I Ve'iiiai'ehlfl phSvitOrvedalignment W'ithfhe h hlng and havi'rigar'l` end adapted to `be vlocated.within the Akeg.`yel -l2lg ,'Ineansffor 'holding saii.xidroflthegtubularniember collapsed to close and sadftl,lefpassagekthrough.' the 'tubularmember adhu's'hmg'and adapted tobe spread when fatubular member,.agguar'dearrienbythebusmrrg y and extending inwardlyp'i.thekeg and surrounde eaidprpjee'ting. end gerjthe tubular member, aclosure cap .moyable t'oandfrom .a 'position for closing"the"innerv endAofthe guard, 'another lele.-

: sure capiifor .catering 'the bushing inthe yexter'ir thel'keg 'andcommon v'means upon which the simultaneously no .and 'from @closedposition.

A se'aristmetuee trerineeraf opening aria keg, `'for a 'beverage such..as beer comprising; j a

' bushingiadapted'to, be 'heated in tnewali ejf the keg; a tubularsealing membergaf rubber braun;

,. her-like material positionedfin alignment with'th'fbliShiIie-andhavine an end ,adaptedjto'be ,y 1"' located withinthe'keg, 'yielding meansifo; helding said endfof .the tubular member.'collapsjedftb el'se and seal melpassaeethrough.theftubular member, fandbushing and v adapted 'to be spread when' ,a ferait tube isjforc'edtnroughjthe bushing and tubular member, a 'tubular 'guard 'extendinginwardly from the .bushing and surrounding said projecting 'end ofthe'`tubular member, a closure capmovable to` andrhinlla.noeitongor 'closingsare mounted soil-han .tnetcaps may begshiited 'tosvving the caps toandffro'in'closing positions.

`berlike material positioned inlalgrlml'ltwith coated within the' keg,kyielding means forA holdng 'said ,end ofthe tubular` member collapsed`toclose and ,seal the passage @through the :tubu- "When adraft tube isforced through the bushing "and tubular member, atubularfguardjsupported of the guard, another closure capjfor! coveringthe bushing on ther` exterior of the keg,1 "common means acting upon,the common means to norf arguard onthe interiori of rthelkeg. 11, l

Fl; Aseal structure for the dra opening keg,Y a tubularsealing member ofrubber or rub- `the bushing and having an" end .adapted lto zbe ofcloseandseal the passage through" theqtubu'- "the Vbushing on the exterior?of thekeg, common keg adjacentthe bushinganfd to which `the eaps are`secured and whichisi operablegto the caps to andwfromclosingpo'sitions, spring means f,the`,bushi`ng onthe `exteriorffof`thekeg and or closing the `opening of `the tubular fguard on theinterior of the keg,'tjand"meansforming a rotatable andsealedijointbetvveen the thekeg and said rotatable menriber.` l

` the'fkeg, guard means insidethe keg surrounding 3. A seal structurefor the draft openinglof a vkeg for a beverage such asbeercomprising, a,l fbushing adapted to be located in the wall of the rlr`e`g,a tubularsealingmemberiof rubberor rubthe `bushing and `having an` end'adapted`to `be mally hold the fcapsf'in `the position for closing fthe "openingfof the bushingfoiijotheyexterior of ythe keg and for closing theopeningof the tubuof@` keg for a beverage suchlasbeera,comprising, a

bushing adapted tofbe-:locatedin the wallof the berlikematerialpositione'din alignment" with ar member andfbushing and adaptedto bespread. hen a `draft tube isf forced throughthe bushing andtubularmember, a tubularguardvsurl l ounding said projecting 'jendofthev tubular member, a closure cap" movable ltotand@froma positionforclosing the" openend of theguard; "another closure ycap for covering theopennggin "means rotatably" positionedv in-"the wall of the l lar memberand bushing and adapted to be spread y thebushing and surroundingsaidprojecting fend-of the tubular menriber, a closure; cap moV-v t ableto'and fromya position forclosing the end l l means" rotatably positionedinf the vval1jof 'the l keg adjacent the bushingfand to Whicllthe capsare secured `and which isfoperable to` swing the 1 1 l apsfto andfrornolosingi.positions,` and "spring o cated Within?thelfreg,` yieldingmeans Aforholol` ngsaid end ofthe f tubularmember collapsed l .actingupon the commonmeans to normally/hold th'ecaps in the position forclosing thejopening 5. y In a keg for a beverageisuch asV beer; a sealstructure for tl'iaefdraft"opening#,comprising` a"` ember securedthefkeg'ywall and `h'avirigam r- Aopeningtherethrough,alxbushingintheopening, aftubular member held in positionbetween the u "bushing andthe,memberandyprojecting inside through the;bushing andf,th1ougl:iy the tubular `member and adapted to yiel'dwh'en adraft tube is from closing pos' ing n means for col1apsing`.the innerendV of y the tubular member to` close ande seal' the passage and theopening of the "tubularguard o n the interiorof thekeg,

6. In a keg for a beverage suol-las beer, a seal Yside the `keg,` guardmeans inside thekeg surl' l rounding the projecting end of the tubular`mern-4 ber, yielding means for collapsing the inner end of the tubularmember to close and seal the passage through the bushingand through thel tubular member and adapted t yield when a l `draft tube is insertedtherein, closureoaps shiftable toandf from closing position forcovering.`

the opening in the bushing on the exteriorof the keg and the opening ofthe tubularguard onthe interior of the keg, and means Withinthe tubularmember adaptedfto be engaged byand` expandedn by the draft VVtube asthelsameV is projectedthrough the tubular member to' protect.

the tubular member from the end of thefdr'alt tube, y 7. A sealstructurefor the draft tubeopening;

g of akeg for a beverage such as beer compris-f ing, a bushing adaptedAto be secured in the `wall` of `the keg, and having a s houlderf in itsopen-- ing, asecond bushing securedinl the opening ofk the firstbushing, a tubular member oflrubbexV or rubber-like material havingaange atene 'endfengaged between the secondnained bushc ving",l and theshoulder of the first bushing ando adaptedlto projectinto the keg, aguard'sur-l y l rounding the projecting end of `thetubular mem--` "lber,` yielding means for.col1aps`ing the projecting endof thejtubularmember to close and sealthe :l l passage through the secondbushingand'tubular` 1 member and adaptedtto yildand expandwhen l a drafttube isforced through the tubularmem- H ber, a post rotatablyfmountedinlhe rst bnshl. l

ing and having asealed connectontherewith,

and two caps secured to the post and shiftable upon rotation around thepost as an axis to and from positions (for closing the exterior openinginthe second named bushing and the opening in the guard.` n

8. A seal structure for the draft openingpftr.`

when ai draft tube is forced through the fi `and tubularmember, meanswithinthe tubular` member 'comprising 4,relatively collapsible fingersfor protecting the inner surfaces of 'the"tub`u1ar` member uponinsertioncf a" `draft tube, a guard l `surrounding the tubular member,`"said guard be-` 'ing carried :by thebushingfandextending inniivardly-,of the keg to an extent `at least equal;

to theinward extent of the tubular member, and

a c :lo'surecap` pivotally mountedin the bushing on anaxisvsubstantially paralleling the aXisof l the tubular memberand swingableto and from a positionclosing theninner end of the guard.`

` Ikeenfnd Colilmonmeansfi'otatablypositioned in ing in the bushing Vontheeklterior of the keg "1' the Wall of the keg adjacent the bushing-andto Which'the caps are secured and which is operable

